Daybook for August 15th, 2016

Daybook for August 15th, 2016

Outside My Window:  It is mostly cloudy with a tiny peak of sun here and there.

Listening to: Christopher practicing piano


Clothing Myself in: Navy capri's and a cute red tunic top.  Bare feet again.  I think I have only worn closed toed shoes three times this summer.  I broke my pinky toe at the end of June and have been wearing flip flops ever since.  My toe has since healed, or at least I no longer have pain but it is still swollen.

Creating by Hand: I'm halfway through the wedding afghan I am crocheting and I just finished a knitted dishcloth. 

What I'm Reading: On my Kindle... I am still reading a small selection from Amish Knitting Circle:  Smicksburg Tales 2 each night before bed.  I look forward to ending my day with this sweet fictional circle of friends. 

Memorizing:  This last week I continued memorizing from the selection of Scripture known as the sermon on the mount.  I have 3 new verses memorized and am on verse 29 now. 

Learning lessons in:  Being slow, savoring the good and giving the not so good to God.

Keeping House:  *on going* I'm doing my best to remain calm in the chaos that is our life during house renovation season.  :)  Currently boxes, bins, piles and furniture are everywhere along with a heavy layer of dust.  The walls of the school room, part of the kitchen, back hallway and bathroom were all removed.  New walls, windows and electrical were put in and sheet rock is now up as well.  There is still a heavy layer of dust everywhere.  ;) 

In the Learning Room:  Andrew and I started back to school this morning.  Christopher is still working with my husband on the house and will join us with the book portion of his schooling in a few weeks.  Andrew and I were finished by 1:30 (not including music practice for piano and mandolin) and I was even able to take a nap! 

Giving Thanks:  for the health and many skills my husband has.  For the good message yesterday at church and a time of fellowship with ladies after church.  Finishing Andrew's room.  We just need to put up 1 more piece of trim and I'm waiting for some fabric cubbies in coordinating colors (blue, orange and green) to arrive.

It's hard to see because of the light but there are no more logs!  We also put in a new ceiling and recessed lighting.  The walls are all a tan color except for the back wall (with the head of his bed).  This wall was painted blue.  He has new carpet and new furniture too.  Such a fresh new start.  Let's hope it stays organized and clean now.  ;)

Grandson(s) update:  We didn't get to see Warren this week but are looking forward to seeing him this Saturday.  Samantha said that he doesn't want to crawl anymore now that he's learning to walk.  He usually stands up and tries to walk everywhere.  :)  Samantha is feeling good just tired (she is due in November with grandson #2).  I ordered a second prayer journal for the new baby two weeks ago and it arrived last week.  I use the Peter Pauper Press small format journals and write little scripture prayer journal entries in them for my grandsons. 

Planning for the Week Ahead:  Since school has resumed our mornings will be spent at home but we are doing a few classes outside on the patio to enjoy the weather.  Our afternoons are free and we plan to go to the pool and our county fair this week.  This weekend we'll be attending an early birthday party for our grandson.  The party is moved up because his parents are closing on their new house the following week and then some new home projects will begin before moving in. 

This post is linked at The Simple Woman

Casting Off Prayers

"casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you."
1 Peter 5:7

Are you heavy laden and burdened by the cares of this world?

Are you concerned about...

• your marriage
• finances
• children
• elections
• the evil that seems to be increasing
• projects
• school
• ministry
• work
• health
• relationships
• (fill in the blank)

We've had some overwhelming circumstances around here as of late and I'm doing a lot of casting off prayers.  I always have a knitted dishcloth in progress so I'll often sit for a bit and have a quiet time of prayer, knitting 4 rows of the dishcloth while casting my cares off the Lord. The rhythmic click, click, clicking of my needles and time of prayer bring a feeling of calm to my anxious heart, knowing He cares, sees and is working even if I'm not yet seeing change.  

Try it... cast your cares.  Let go and trust.

Daybook for August 8th

Outside My Window:  Bright sun, whispy white clouds floating by.

Listening to:  Silence.  Absolute silence... for now.  Soon my husband will be back from Menards and the whir of the chainsaw and hammers will commence as the last sections of our old log home are taken out and new walls and windows are framed in.

Clothing Myself in:  Capris, green shirt, bare feed and naked face.

Creating by Hand:  This week I'm continuing to crochet on a wedding afghan for a precious girl and her fellow who are going to be married next month.

What I'm Reading:  On my Kindle... each nigght before bed I am reading a small selection for Amish Knitting Circle:  Smicksburg Tales 2.  I finished the first set last week.  It is such an endearing and encouraging series.  It is a lovely way to end the day.  Bible... I started the book of Ezra this morning.

Memorizing:  I am currently working on memorizing the sermon on the Mount.  Today I am working on verse 25 of chapter 5.

Learning lessons in:  Being present, being still and casting my cares on Him.

Keeping House:  I'm doing my best to remain calm in the chaos that is our life during house rennovation season.  :)  Currently boxes, bins, piles and furniture are everywhere along with a heavy layer of dust.

To be Fit and Happy:  Andrew and I went swimming over the weekend with my sister, cousin and their children.  My mom and two aunts also joined us for the day.  Swimming is such an easy and fun way to exercise.  I even did the water slide a few times.  Loved that but didn't care much for climbing all those stairs.

Giving Thanks:  Our grandson, almost 11 months is beginning to walk!  I can hardly believe that we are approaching his first birthday next month.  This precious boy has brought so much joy to his nanny, papa and uncles.

Planning for the Week Ahead:  Andrew and I were supposed to be on our way to Wyoming early this morning but late last week our plans unexpectedly changed.  I was looking forward to spending time with one of my dearest friends who I haven't seen in 3 years and escaping out of the house during all of the work.  All that to say, we have no plans for the week but I'm sure I'll think up a few adventures to replace our canceled trip.

Spring Hello

Wow!  It's been quite a long time since I've been actively blogging.  I really do desire to get back to it in some form or other.

My little grandson will be 8 months old this week and he brings so much joy into our lives.  He doesn't have any teeth yet and isn't crawling either but I'm sure those things will be coming soon.  His smile melts my heart and I wonder how our life felt so normal and full before he arrived.  His Nanny, Papa Scott and uncles loves him so much.

  

  

In November we will welcome our 2nd grandchild into our lives.  I am so excited!!!!

In January of this year I joined a weight-loss Bible study called First Place for Health.  I have really been enjoying the studies and have lost a total of 32.7 pounds since starting.  My clothes are fitting better and I am feeling so much better too.  I still have quite a bit more to lose but I am not concerned with how long it will take.  Our Bible study group took a break from the First Place 4 Health studies in April and began a book called Taste for Truth which focuses on renewing our minds and allowing God to transform us as we abide in Him and renew our minds to His truth.  This book has been so foundational and about the only thing I haven't liked is how fast paced it moves.  There is so much good information, powerful questions and Scripture in it that I wish I had a bit more time to meditate on it.  I plan to go back through the book later this summer.

The boys are looking forward to summer and being outside.  Andrew will be participating in coach pitch baseball through the summer rec program and we got family passes to an amusement park.  Lots of fun for the boys and walking for mom.  :)  

I'm working on setting some goals in different areas of my life.  I came across another blogger who did this and I really liked these little mini goals and the accountability of sharing them.  Look for that post sometime next week.  Until then, God bless you.

** 2016 **